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S 2867

Requires DOE to partner with nonprofit organization to establish central registry of individuals and organizations interested in providing supplemental tutoring support to students.*

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Beach and 3 co-sponsors

NJ S-2867 creates a central public registry of volunteers to provide free tutoring statewide; DOE partners with a nonprofit, volunteers can't charge and must pass background checks.

Reported out of Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · S 2867

Summary — S-2867 (New Jersey): Central Registry for Volunteer Tutoring Support

Note on bill number: The number S 2867 also appears for an unrelated 2025 federal bill concerning first-time homebuyer distributions. This summary covers the New Jersey Senate Bill S-2867 as reported by the Senate Education Committee (reprint SED 6/5/25 1R) that would create a central registry for free tutoring support.

Purpose

To expand access to out-of-school supplementary academic support by directing the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with a nonprofit organization, to create and maintain a central, searchable, publicly accessible online registry of individuals and organizations willing to provide free tutoring to students across the State.

Key provisions

  • DOE must partner with a nonprofit organization to establish and oversee a central, searchable registry publicly posted on the DOE website.
  • Registry data: each registrant’s name, contact information, subject-matter expertise, and tutoring availability schedule (and other information provided by registrants).
  • Eligible applicants for inclusion:
    • Teachers holding a New Jersey provisional or standard instructional certificate;
    • Retired New Jersey teachers who were in good standing at retirement;
    • Students enrolled in an in-state two- or four-year institution of higher education;
    • Industry professionals with relevant subject-matter expertise;
    • Organizations with relevant subject-matter expertise;
    • Any other person or organization the DOE deems appropriate.
  • Registrants must not charge or receive any fee for services provided in connection with the registry.
  • Criminal history checks:
    • Individuals (except currently certified teachers who already underwent a required check) must complete a criminal history record check (per P.L.1986, c.116 — C.18A:6-7.1 et seq.) before being included.
    • Organizations must submit a statement of assurances that any individual providing tutoring on behalf of the organization has undergone the required criminal history record check.
    • DOE may reimburse individuals for the cost of the criminal history check.
  • Registry must include a clear disclaimer that DOE has not independently verified listed information and that inclusion is not an endorsement of quality.

Committee amendments / changes

  • The committee amended the bill to require DOE to partner with a nonprofit organization to establish and oversee the registry (previous text had DOE establish/maintain it directly).
  • The committee removed language regarding a fine (previous bill text imposed up to a $500 fine on organizations that willfully provided false information).

Who is affected

  • Students and families seeking free supplemental tutoring across New Jersey.
  • Educators, students in higher education, industry professionals, and community organizations who wish to volunteer.
  • DOE (administration and oversight, in partnership with a nonprofit).
  • Organizations facilitating volunteer tutoring (responsible for verification assurances).

Status & timeline

  • Introduced in the New Jersey Senate (original text) and referred to Senate Education Committee (document shows initial introduction and committee activity in 2024–2025).
  • Reported favorably with committee amendments by the Senate Education Committee on June 5, 2025; placed on 2nd Reading at that time.
  • Identical to Assembly Bill A1997 (1R) as amended and reported.

Potential impact

  • Could broaden access to free tutoring resources statewide by creating a single, public point of discovery.
  • Raises administrative responsibilities for DOE and the partner nonprofit (platform maintenance, vetting procedures, criminal history processing).
  • The disclaimer and removal of the fine leave verification and enforcement mechanisms limited—users would need to exercise judgment when choosing tutors despite background-check requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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